If I’m honest, Farah Malik is the motivation for this whole guest expert series. One half of the extraordinary team behind A Peace Treaty, Farah is exactly the person I think of when I imagine a bona fide jetsetter. She quite literally scours the globe on a regular basis, working with communities to support (and help restore) their ancient craft traditions, which are often on the verge of disappearing. A Peace Treaty works with local artisans to create handmade, unique accessories that the fashion world can’t snap up fast enough. Everyone wins – artisans continue their craft, communities flourish, and the rest of us are a little better-dressed. Talk about money well spent!

If anyone can take us on a true insider’s tour of Paris, it’s Farah. Enjoy the journey!

{Editor’s Note: This year, I’ve asked a few of the people whose style I spend all year admiring to share their holiday wish lists. Stay tuned – we’ll have a new expert every day for the next two weeks!} gift guide couple

Here’s one of the (many) ways I can tell I’m not hip: while reading Toni Hacker and Ben Harnett’s guide to everything a hip couple could possibly want, I kept intermittently exclaiming “What in the world is that?”…followed closely by “Dang, that’s so cool!” (I mean, really….kinetic sand?) But that’s exactly what I’d expect from the brains behind one of my favorite handbag and accessory lines, Hayden-Harnett. These two Brooklynites just can’t help but be hip! Whether you’re looking for one gift you can give to that couple you double-date with every Saturday, creative ideas for your other half, or a few things for your own wish list, Toni and Ben have come up with a dozen finds guaranteed to put you on the short list for Most Popular Couple.Read on →

Friends, I know. It’s temptation central around here this week. But Shopbop Friends & Family andSaks Friends & Family? You’d never have forgiven me if I didn’t tell you about it. Both are offering 25% off SITEWIDE (with the usual exclusions), and my guess is you either (a) hadn’t heard but really needed to know, or (b) had heard, and have frantically been clicking back and forth between the two sites, figuring out what to buy and where to buy it. Or is that just me?

What to do? Buy the piece that won’t go on sale in 3 weeks. That Vince cardigan you’ve been eyeing. The Rachel Comey boots you’ve wanted since last fall. Denim. You get the idea. Oh, and buy things that are already on sale…an extra 25% off is always a good incentive. Need a few suggestions? Read on →

All of those Memorial Day deals in your inbox felt crazy, I know. Too good to resist. But if you did, if you were patient, your virtue is about to be rewarded. Shopbop, Barneys, Saks and Net-A-Porter all launched their summer sales today, and there are goodies aplenty. Read on →

As I think you know by now, I’m a big believer in finding ways to make trends work for me, instead of having to change my wardrobe and comfort level to suit the trend. The truth is that I’m at that point in my life where I know what I’ll wear, what flatters me, and what belongs in my closet. And I worked hard to get here! Sure, I find a piece or two to push the envelope just a bit every season, but overall, running blindly after every trend that struts by just isn’t my thing.

To wit, I thought you’d like to take a peek at what I’ve actually been buying so far for spring. Ready for a little stroll through my closet? Read on →

First things first: let’s talk deals. I happen to know that Kate Spade, Vince and Cole Haan are all having their Friends & Family promos this weekend, and they’re doozies. I have all the details up on my Facebook and Twitter feeds…so much easier to keep you updated on all the best steals in real time. Read on →

I had other plans for today, friends, but the sales this morning…they’re just too, too good (for all of the codes, from Shopbop to J.Crew, check out my Facebook feed and its never-ending stream o’ deals). I thought I’d share a few of the many, many items lurking in my shopping cart this AM.